The Vice President of Uganda, Rtd. Major Jessica Alupo has said that the Non-Aligned Movement is a lead to socio-economic transformation.
The Vice President made the remarks while presiding over the Ministerial Meeting of the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) from January 17–18, 2024, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
She noted that the summit’s theme is a basis for mutually creating global wealth and affluence for socio-economic transformation worldwide through job creation, expanding markets and economies, among others.
The Vice President added that the principle of non-alignment is a constitutional obligation for Uganda, adding that it has been a central pillar of foreign policy.
According to the Vice President, Uganda joined NAM in 1964, two years after she had attained her independence, due to the movement’s importance built on the principles of sovereignty of states and territorial integrity, non-interference in the affairs of other states which are still relevant as before.
“The principle of non-alignment is a constitutional obligation for Uganda and has been a central pillar of our foreign policy. Excellencies, the movement’s principles of sovereignty and equality of states, territorial integrity, non-intervention and non-interference in the affairs of other states are as relevant and important today as they were at its founding,” the Vice President said.
Vice President Alupo is optimistic about the movement’s vision which will end all forms of colonialism in all member states in that the global south countries are united and share a common interest. Additionally, the ministerial meeting presents another opportunity to continue with the constructive discussion of handling the issues affecting the member states.
“As countries of the global south, we always come together to discuss matters of common interest,” she noted.
H.E Alupo said that the summit has come at a time when member states are facing various emerging and challenging issues ranging from political, social to economic that affect the resilience of societies.
She pointed out issues to do with infrastructural development, inadequate trade and investment, inter- and intra-regional trade between the NAM member states, and financial resources, including job creation and value addition, which are still challenges.
Additionally, she stated that a combination of financial and economic crises, climate change, recurring food crises, energy crises, and pandemics render efforts towards socio-economic transformation useless.
In this case, according to Alupo, the summit’s theme of Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence was chosen based on the above issues that are largely affecting the member states.
In her closing remarks, the Vice President congratulated the government of Azerbaijan for its leadership and holding on to the chairmanship of the movement during the difficult times of the the COVID-19 pandemic.
